PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ON OUR YACHTS, SO YOU CAN TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE

With the consultation of The World Health Organization (WHO), we have adopted the below measures and sanitation protocols on board our small ships since the beginning of the outbreak.  Up to today, and following these protocols across our fleet, we have not had a COVID-19 case on board our yachts.

Policies currently in place include:

• Following the Greek Government Entry Guidelines for Travelers, Variety Cruises will require a 72-hour negative PCR test prior to embarkation, or proof of Covid-19 Vaccination Certification
• Travelers may be subject to random Rapid Testing upon entry to Greece and prior to Variety Cruises Embarkation and Disembarkation
• Mandatory pre-boarding health reporting and screening questionnaire
• Health & Sanitation Protocols on board our yachts
• Outbreak response plan and outbreak prevention protocols, including weekly testing

A.MANDATORY PRE-EMBARKATION SCREENING

We have implemented pre-cruise screening for all guests and crew. This includes: 

All passengers and crew will be screened prior embarkation and daily every morning during the cruise for:

a) Body temperature

b) Blood oxygen content

Guests are asked to submit a completed questionnaire related to COVID prior to embarkation. All records related to each Guest’s Health Condition during the cruise, are kept in file for two months.

Boarding will be denied to any guest or crew who has, within 14 days of embarkation:

• have experienced any flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing
• have had close contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19

All luggage are disinfected prior to embarkation.

B. WHILE ON BOARD /DURING THE CRUISE

General Hygiene Practices & Standards

• Usage of sanitizer dispensers are mandatory at embarkation/disembarkation as well as prior to entry at Restaurant area at meals
• Tour coaches during our scheduled excursions will be limited with capped capacity. Vehicles will be fully sanitized before each shore excursion.
• Masks are offered to all passengers at the time of embarkation and throughout the cruise.
• The use of mask is compulsory for all crew members in all areas of the vessel and during tendering.
• The use of mask is compulsory for guests in all internal areas (excluding when seated in mealtimes) and during tendering, however, is noncompulsory in the external areas of the ship provided the distance of 1,5m is kept.
• Avoiding rush hours in archaeological sites
• Swim stops away from the crowded beaches

Guest Accommodations

• All cleaning, sterilization and disinfection material and equipment are ECDC compliant.
• Daily UV sterilization of all staterooms and public areas.
• Additional disinfection of all cabins and internal common areas is taking place every other day using PureSpace® disinfection equipment when passengers are not onboard.
• Higher frequency with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection in guests’ cabins with hospital grade disinfectants, including twice daily wipe-down of guest cabins and guests cabin corridors
• Injection of diluted cleaning solution into drains to avoid clogged pipes and preventing bacterial growth
• Disinfection of all air-conditioning and ventilation ducts

Public Areas

• High-touch areas such as handrails, buttons, table-tops, door handles etc. are sterilized twice per day at minimum.
• Lounge-Bar areas and Restaurant Areas including galleys are sterilized before, during and after service. Upholstery, cushions, curtains are steam sterilized daily.

Food Hygiene Practices & Standards

• Guest seating will ensure ample spacing; disposable cutlery will be provided, upon request.
• Self-service at F&B buffet restaurants will be suspended. All food & beverages will be served to guests by crew members wearing face masks & disposable gloves.

C. CREW MEMBERS

Practices & Standards

• Weekly Covid-19 testing for Crew Members
• Twice daily temperature checks for Crew Members
• Our Crew receive professional health and hygiene training and are undergoing multiple familiarization seminars for best practices in cleaning and sterilizing.
• COVID-19 outbreak seminars are carried out across our fleet of small ship cruises, and a Outbreak Management plan is in place.

Some measures will remain in effect in certain countries and are subject to change at any time as we evaluate the situation and continue to consult with local health authorities as well as the WHO. 

TRAVEL UPDATE - HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES

SMALL IS BETTER

 Variety Cruises was the first Cruise Line that returned to the seas in Greece weekly from July 2020 until October 2020. We are grateful and proud that our Health & Safety Protocols that were developed had ensured a successful operation on our M/S Galileo throughout the summer 2020 season in Greece, with zero Covid-19 cases creating a treasure of memories for our guests and a very positive reaction by the media in honor of our safe and successful operation.

We are continously enforcing our Health & Safety Measures for our restart of our cruises, starting with Greece & the Greek islands cruises as of June 4, 2021.

• Yachts carrying only 30-40 guests on average
• Enjoy Swim stops in uninhabited islands & visit quaint small islands and remote beaches accessible only by yachts
• Small Group Shore excursions and archaeological sites visits during off-peak hours

In addition to the benefits of traveling on board our small ships with a few fellow travelers, we have activated additional preventive measures so that our guests may feel prepared and confident with their decision to sail on board Variety Cruises yachts.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ON OUR YACHTS, SO YOU CAN TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE

With the consultation of The World Health Organization (WHO), we have adopted the below measures and sanitation protocols on board our small ships since the beginning of the outbreak.  Up to today, and following these protocols across our fleet, we have not had a COVID-19 case on board our yachts.

Policies currently in place include:

• Following the Greek Government Entry Guidelines for Travelers, Variety Cruises will require a 72-hour negative PCR test prior to embarkation, or proof of Covid-19 Vaccination Certification
• Travelers may be subject to random Rapid Testing upon entry to Greece and prior to Variety Cruises Embarkation and Disembarkation
• Mandatory pre-boarding health reporting and screening questionnaire
• Health & Sanitation Protocols on board our yachts
• Outbreak response plan and outbreak prevention protocols, including weekly testing

A.MANDATORY PRE-EMBARKATION SCREENING

We have implemented pre-cruise screening for all guests and crew. This includes: 

All passengers and crew will be screened prior embarkation and daily every morning during the cruise for:

1. a) Body temperature
2. b) Blood oxygen content

Guests are asked to submit a completed questionnaire related to COVID prior to embarkation. All records related to each Guest’s Health Condition during the cruise, are kept in file for two months.

Boarding will be denied to any guest or crew who has, within 14 days of embarkation:

• have experienced any flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing
• have had close contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19

All luggage are disinfected prior to embarkation.

1. WHILE ON BOARD /DURING THE CRUISE

General Hygiene Practices & Standards

• Usage of sanitizer dispensers are mandatory at embarkation/disembarkation as well as prior to entry at Restaurant area at meals
• Tour coaches during our scheduled excursions will be limited with capped capacity. Vehicles will be fully sanitized before each shore excursion.
• Masks are offered to all passengers at the time of embarkation and throughout the cruise.
• The use of mask is compulsory for all crew members in all areas of the vessel and during tendering.
• The use of mask is compulsory for guests in all internal areas (excluding when seated in mealtimes) and during tendering, however, is noncompulsory in the external areas of the ship provided the distance of 1,5m is kept.
• Avoiding rush hours in archaeological sites
• Swim stops away from the crowded beaches

Guest Accommodations

• All cleaning, sterilization and disinfection material and equipment are ECDC compliant.
• Daily UV sterilization of all staterooms and public areas.
• Additional disinfection of all cabins and internal common areas is taking place every other day using PureSpace® disinfection equipment when passengers are not onboard.
• Higher frequency with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection in guests’ cabins with hospital grade disinfectants, including twice daily wipe-down of guest cabins and guests cabin corridors
• Injection of diluted cleaning solution into drains to avoid clogged pipes and preventing bacterial growth
• Disinfection of all air-conditioning and ventilation ducts

Public Areas

• High-touch areas such as handrails, buttons, table-tops, door handles etc. are sterilized twice per day at minimum.
• Lounge-Bar areas and Restaurant Areas including galleys are sterilized before, during and after service. Upholstery, cushions, curtains are steam sterilized daily.

Food Hygiene Practices & Standards

• Guest seating will ensure ample spacing; disposable cutlery will be provided, upon request.
• Self-service at F&B buffet restaurants will be suspended. All food & beverages will be served to guests by crew members wearing face masks & disposable gloves.

1. CREW MEMBERS

Practices & Standards

• Weekly Covid-19 testing for Crew Members
• Twice daily temperature checks for Crew Members
• Our Crew receive professional health and hygiene training and are undergoing multiple familiarization seminars for best practices in cleaning and sterilizing.
• COVID-19 outbreak seminars are carried out across our fleet of small ship cruises, and a Outbreak Management plan is in place.

Some measures will remain in effect in certain countries and are subject to change at any time as we evaluate the situation and continue to consult with local health authorities as well as the WHO. 

This Advisory supersedes all previous versions and will be updated as required.